Blog
Notes from the field
Everything I publish, newest first. For browsing by topic, visit the Tech Hub.
2026
- Networking · GuideBeyond Cisco: The Enterprise Networking Market in 2026Two 2025 deals redrew the map: HPE now owns Juniper and Arista owns VeloCloud. Part 1 of a vendor-neutral, 19-vendor analysis — who really competes with Cisco, and in which category.8 min
- Networking · Cheat SheetEnterprise Network Vendors Compared: Products and Technical CapabilitiesSwitching, routing, Wi-Fi 7, SD-WAN, NGFW, SASE, data-center fabrics and automation — a side-by-side view of what Cisco and 13 alternatives actually offer, plus a 24-row feature matrix.10 min
- Technology Architecture · GuideNetwork Licensing Decoded: Cisco vs Competitors on Licences, Prices and SupportHardware ≠ licence ≠ cloud management ≠ support ≠ security subscription. How Cisco, HPE, Juniper, Arista, Fortinet, Palo Alto and others really charge — with real reseller prices from October 2026.15 min
- Technology Architecture · ArticleThe Real Cost of Enterprise Networking: Five-Year TCO Across Four ScenariosA transparent bottom-up TCO model — from a 50-user branch to a 10,000-user global enterprise — comparing Cisco, HPE, Arista, Fortinet, Extreme, Huawei and Ubiquiti. Hardware is the smallest part of the bill.12 min
- Networking · GuideBuying Network Equipment in India, Europe and the US: Duties, Regulation and Market FitCustoms duty and GST in India, NIS2 and data residency in the EU, tariffs and NDAA §889 in the US — what changes when you buy the same network in three regions, and which vendors are strongest where.9 min
- Project Management · GuideChoosing, Migrating and Negotiating: A Network Vendor Decision PlaybookA weighted scorecard of 19 vendors, category leaders, use-case recommendations, a six-step Cisco migration approach, and the RFP and negotiation tactics that protect you at renewal time.18 min
- SD-WAN · GuideSD-WAN vs MPLS: A Practical Decision FrameworkSD-WAN isn't automatically cheaper or better than MPLS. Here's the set of questions I use to frame the decision before anyone talks to a vendor.3 min
- AIOps · ArticleWhat AIOps Actually Changes in IT and Network OperationsAIOps is often sold as a tool. In practice it's an operating-model change. Lessons from my MBA research on enterprise-grade AIOps for telecom networks.2 min
- Project Management · TutorialThe RAID Log: The Most Underused Tool in Infrastructure ProjectsEvery project has a RAID log. Few use it well. A practical guide to Risks, Assumptions, Issues and Dependencies — with a free template.2 min
- Career · GuideFrom Network Engineer to Technical Project Manager: A Career RoadmapThe move from engineering to project management is one of the most common — and least explained — transitions in IT. A practical roadmap.2 min